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Captain John Gordon 

"OF THE SPIES," 

With Special Reference to His Relations to Gen. 
Jackson in the Creek War. 



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NASHVILLE AMERICAN* MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 1906, 



"CAPTAIN JOHN GORDON, OF THE SPIES" 



Patriot Famous Indian Scout and Fighter— His Re- 
lations to the Pioneer History of Tennessee 



(An Historica 1 Correction.) 

By W. M. WOOLWINE. 

a history of this*? brave, fearless 
man is being prepared, the object of this 
paper is merely to bring out a few points 
in his life to show his prominence in Ten- 
nessee history, and especially his close 
relations with Gen. Jackson during the 
Creek and Florida wars. 

Spence's history of Hickman County 
says: 

"His ancestors in old Scotland never 
rallied around the banner of the 'Cross 
of fire' with more alacrity than did old 
Captain Jack (John) Gordon answer to tne 
call of arms." 

Capt. John Gordon was a descendant 
of the "Black Gordon" Clan of Scotch 
Highlanders, his ancestors having emi- 
grated to this country early in the eigh- 
teenth century, and settled near Fred- 
ericksburg, Va„ where he was born the 
15th of July, 1763. Before attaining his 
majority, in company with several young 
men, bold and adventurous as himself, 
he left his Virginia home for the unde- 
veloped West. They crossed the moun- 
tains, reached the waters of the Upper 
Cumberland, which they descended until 
they came to the point where Nashville 
now stands. There he made his home, 
entering into the hardships, dangers and 
adventures incident to the early settle- 
ment of Nashville and Middle Tennessee. 

The first mention in history of this re- 
vered name, John Gordon, that I find is 
in the Southwestern Monthly Magazine, 
published in 1851, in the narrative of 
Capt. John Davis, on Indian murders 
around Nashville in 1791. Capt. Davis, 
who was a friend and fellow fighter, af- 
ter referring to various incidents of 
those times, among which were the kill- 
ing of Edwin Hickman and the wounding 
in the hand of James Robertson by the 
Indians, says: "Not long after this, the 
Indians drove from their camps a party 
of whites, who were on their way from 
Natchez, but fortunately none were killed. 
They had stopped to get breakfast, but 
the Indians charging upon them, captured 
all their luggage. The Indians were fol- 
lowed by a party, of which I was one, 
for several days; but they had got too 
much of a start and returned in safety. 
This party was commanded by Capt. 
John Gordon, and from the hunger ex- 
perienced the tour of duty so undertaken, 
was known afterwards by the name of 
'the Parched Corn Tour,' we having been 
compelled to live upon that article for 
several davs." 



t-S3 
• 81-3 

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Next, Haywood, in his Civil and Po- 
litical History of Tennessee, page 271 
(1793: "Captain Rains and Gordon pur- 
sued a part3 r of Indians, who had killed 
one Samuel Miller near Joslyn Station. 
After crossing Duck River, their signs 
were very fresh; on pursuing them seven 
miles, further, they were overtaken. The 
pursuers killed some of them on the 
ground, took several prisoners, etc." 

Next we quote ^rom the American 
Historical Magazine, vol. Ill, page 179, 
the following letter, taken from the 
original: 

"Knoxville, October 2%. 1793.— Sir: A 
company of the Davidson Regiment here- 
tofore called the Independent Troop, to 
be discontinued under that name, and in 
future to be a company of mounted in- ] 
l'antry, commanded as heretofore, by 
Capt. John Gordon, equipped with a fire- 
lock, powder horn, shot bag, etc., to re- 
main a part of the Regiment of Da- j 
vidson County, to consist of sixty-four 
privates, six corporals, six seargents, 
two musicians. It is expected that none 
be received into the company, but such 
as hold themselves gexierally in readi- 
ness with good horses and arms, to pur- 
sue or repel the hostile Indians at the 
shortest notice to be in all respects sub- 
ject to military law. (Signed.). 

"WILLIAM BLOUNT." 

'"To Brigadier General Robertson.". 

Referring to the Nickojack campaign, 
1794, when Col. Ore, after a council of 
war, determined to cross the Tennessee 
River, Capt. John Gordon was among 
the first to swim the river. Of this in- 
cident, Putnam, in his History of Mid- 
dle Tennessee, says: 

"The troops were landed before day. 
At daylight they fell into ranks, and 
were counted by Capt. John Gordon. The 
exact number who had crossed over was 
ascertained to be two hundred and sixty- 
five." 

Spence, in his history of Hickman Coun- 
ty, says: 

"Gordon's future commander, Andrew 
Jackson, served as a private in this ex- 
pedition." 

We find in Blount's journal that John 
Gordon was commissioned as Justice of 
the Peace by Gov. Blount, Sept. 25, 1794, 
and again on July 11, 1795. He was a 
member of .the last County Court of the 
Territorial Government, which met April 
16, 1796, pursuant to adjournment of this 
court. The last entry upon these records 
is in these words: 

"The Court appoint John Castillian, 
guardian to Richard and John Lowe, for 
the special purpose of receiving deed of 
conveyance from Gen. James Robertson 
to said orphans, and to defend against 
all suits whatever that may affect the 
interests of said orphans. (Signed.) 

"SAM BARTON, 
"JAMES ROBERTSON. 
"JOHN GORDON. 

("N. B.— Robt. Hays is wanting.)" 

John Gordon was first postmaster of 
■Nashville, receiving his commission the 
first of April, 1796, and serving until Oct. 
1, 1797. 

On file among the original papers in 
the archives of the Historical Society, 
Nashville, we find in Box M, No. 136, an 
original muster roll of Capt. John Gor- 
don's company of cavalry "called into 
service for the protection of the frontier 
or Mero District," containing forty-nine 
names. This is signed and certified to 
by John Gordon, Captn Cavalry. 



In the index of the Historical Society 
can be found at a glance about twenty- 
references to either John Gordon or Capt. 
John Gordon contained in the original 
papers on file. Among these were a let- 
ter from Andrew Jackson to Capt. John 
Gordon, dated April 3, 1819, at the Her- 
mitage, addressed to Duck River, Old 
Natchez Trace Road, State of Tennessee. 
This letter pertained to business, but 
wound up with most cordial expresssions 
towards the family, Jackson and Gordon 
being great friends. These old papers re- 
fer to deeds, conveyances, and especially 
to contracts with the Government for 
supplies, etc. It seems that from the 
beginning of his career, about 17S1, to the 
time of his death, 1819, he was most prom- 
inently connected with either the Terri- 
torial, State or General Government. For 
instance, on page 359, vol. Ill, American 
Historical Magazine, is the following let- 
ter copied from the original: 

"Nashville, Sep. 26, 1795.— To Capt. John 
Gordon: You have been appointed by 
Gen. Robertson, and with my approba- 
tion, to take command and direction of 
the boat called the Opioamlnga, on board 
of which is shipped by John Overton, 
Esq., Agent for Indian Affairs, goods con- 
sisting of calicoes, woolens, lead, pow- 
der, etc., etc., as per invoice of the same. 
Being a present from the President of 
the United States for the Chiefs and for 
that Nation in general. You are direct- 
ed to make most speedy passage that 
circumstances will admit of down the 
Cumberland River into the Ohio and 
Mississippi, taking all possible care of 
the goods and the Indians with you, and 
land them safe at the Chickasaw Bluff, 
at which place the goods are to be de- 
livered to the Chiefs of that Nation, or 
their order. The President and all good 
citizens of the United States, wishing to 
cultivate peace and harmony with all 
Nations, you must make the same mo- 
tives actuate a like disposition in your- 
self, and treat the subjects and people 
of all nations with friendship, and par- 
ticularly respect the Spaniards, their of- 
ficers, and their Government. This is 
particularly expressed as you may meet 
pome of that Nation in your way. 
You are desiredi likewise to recom- 
mend peace to the Chickasaws with 
•the Creeks, and tell them their Father — 
the President— is desirous that the two 
Nations should live in harmony. The 
boat you will sell for the most she will 
fetch, and credit the United States for 
the same. I am, sir, with regard, your 
humble, servant, DAVID HENLY, 
"Agent for the United States." 

I quote the above letter in full, as it 
gives an insight into the higher capacities 
of this great man. He not only made 
himself famous as the captain of spies, 
and an all-round Indian fighter, but he 
was a trustworthy man, a business man, 
an educated man and a diplomat. 
AN HISTORICAL CORRECTION. 

Our most esteemed friend, Col. A. S. 
Colyar, in his recent "Life of Andrew 
Jackson," gives the credit to one Capt., 
Thomas Kennedy Gordon as being the 
hero of the "stepping out" incident in 
the first mutiny of the Creek war, the 
bearing of Jackson's letter through the 
wilderness to the Governor of Pensa- 
cola, and other incidents. 

In his original manuscripts, Col. Col- 
yar says he used the name of Capt. John 
Gordon, but was later led to believe that 
it was Capt. Thomas Kennedy Gordon, 
changed his manuscript and so brought 
it out in his book. When Col. Colyar's 
attention was called to this, appreciating 
fully that justice should be done these 
grand old heroes, although extremely fee- 
ble, he went into the matter of investi- 
gation as far as his health would admit. 



With the evidence xn^ jre him, he 

wrote an article in The American of Dec. 
13, 1905, which he wound up by saying, 
"But the evidence is in favor of Capt.^" 
Gordon." 
In this same article, he also says: 
"Eaton's life of Jackson, which I have, 
is undoubtedly reliable on such a ques- 
tion, and, while this book does not give 
the name of Capt. Gordon who stepped 
out, it says, 'It was Capt. Gordon of the 
spies.' Ramsey's History and obituary 
notices of Capt. John Gordon state he 
was Captain of the Indian Spies, and, if 
so, this settles it." 

A little further on in this paper, a copy 
of the records of the War Department 
does, as Col. Colyar says, settle the ques- 
tion. 

While a large and intelligent family of 
descendants of Capt. John Gordon are 
full of traditions regarding these inci- 
dents and many others equally as inter- 
esting, which will be brought out into 
history soon, we will ignore that entirely, 
except in the case of the following let- 
ter, which so closely connects the past 
with the present that there should be no 
question as to its bearing on the case. 

"Nashville, Jan. 13, 1906.— Sir: From the 
age of 5 to that of 21 years I lived with 
my grandmother, Mrs. Dolly Gordon, the 
widow of Capt. John Gordon, of the 
Spies. His being the hero ol the 'step- 
ping out' incident during the mutiny of 
the troops, his carrying the letter from 
Jackson to the Governor of Pensacola, 
the Anderson letter incident, and his 
many other brave acts I heard many 
times from her lips. His life was full of j 
daring incidents that became familiar 
household stories. 

"MRS. E. D. (MARY) HICKS." 

In going into this question I have tried 
to be impartial, and have given the same 
interest in looking for the names -of both 
Thomas Kennedy Gordon and John Gor- 
don. In my search so far I have been 
unable to find the name of the former in 
either histories of Tennessee or of Jack- 
son. I do find, however, the following in 
the records of the War Department at 
Washington: 

"The records of this*' office snow that 
one Thos. K. Gordon served as a Captain 
in McCrory's Regiment, of West Ten- 
nessee Militia, War 1812. His name ap- 
pears on a muster roll of that organiza- 
tion, dated at Nashville, June 8, 1813, 
covering the period from Oct. 4, 1813, to 
Jan. 4, 1814." 

I also have before me s the following rec- 
ord from the War Department: 

"The records of this office show that 
one John Gordon served as a Captain of 
Mounted Spies, Tennessee Militia, War 
1812; His name appears on the records 
of that organization, which show that 
he served from Sept. 24, 1813, to May 10, 
1814." 

The reader will note from the above 
that John Gordon now becomes the fa- 
mous Captain of the Spies. 

The position of Capt. John Gordon in 
Tennessee history from 1790 to 1812 is un- 
questioned. While historians referred to 
him then as in the War of 1812, fre- 
quently as "Capt. Gordon," I think the 
following references, taken in connection 
with the War Department record, which 
makes him "Captain of the Spies," will 
remove any doubt as to Capt. John Gor- 
don's identity as the hero of the "step- 
ping out" incident. 

Eaton, in his life of Jackson, page 74, 
referring to the mutiny in the Creek cam- 
paign, says: 



I "The general dissatisfaction of the 
I troops resulted in their determination to 
| return. While thus pondering on the 
gioomy prospect, he (Jackson) lifted up 
his hands and exclaimed: 'If only two 
men will remain with me, I will never 
abandon the fort.' Then Capt. G-ordon 
of the Spies facetiously replied, 'You 
have one, General; let's look to see if we 
can't find another,' and, with zeal suited 
to the ocasion, proceeded with some of 
the General's staff to raise volunteers, 
and in a little while succeeded in pro- 
j curing one hundred and nine, who deter- 

mined to remain and protect the fort:" 
! Ramsey, in his "Annals of Tennessee," 
page 604, referring to an occurrence of 
1793, says: 

"Two companies of horsemen were in* 
ei4ft»taHy paraded, one commanded by 
Captain John Rains, and the other com- 
manded by Capt. John Gordon, the same 
who afterwards, in 1813, commanded a 
spy company of the Creek war." 

From Headly's "Second War With 
England," page 26, I copy in regard to 
this "stepping out" incident in answer 
to Gen. Jackson's request: 

" 'You have one, General,' exclaimed 
Capt. Gordon of the Spies, who stood 
beside him." 

Without reference to the "stepping 
out" incident, we find, in Eaton's 'Life 
of Jackson," page 119, in regard to the 
second serious mutiny of Lieut. Kearly 
and his men, we find^ this order from 
Gen. Jackson: 

"You will forthwith cause the guards 
to parade with Capt. Gordon's company 
of spies and arrest Lieut. Kearly, spare 
the effucion of blood, if possible; but 
mutiny must be put down, etc." 

Again, in Waldo's History, page 114, re- 
ferring to the battle of Enotochopeco, we 
find that the "brave Captain Gordon of 
the Spies" rushed from the front, en- 
deavored to turn the flank of the enemy, 
in which he partially succeeded. 

Eiaton, writing in regard to this inci- 
dent, says: 

"The enemy, perceiving a stiong force 
advancing, and being warmly assailed on 
their left by Capt. Gordon at the head 
of his company of spies, were stricken 
i with alarm and fled." 

j Referring to this same incident, Clay- 
[ ton, in his "History of Davidson County," 
page 81, uses the name in full: "Captain 
John Gordon, an old pidneer hero." 

Gen. Jackson, in his report of the bat- 
tle of the Horse Shoe to Gov. Blount, 
March 31, 1814, says: 

"A few companies of Gen. Doherty's 
Brigade on the ri^ht were led with great 
gallantry by Col. Bunch. The advance 
guard by the Adjutant General, Col. Eit- 
ter, and the left extremity by Captain 
Gordon of the Spies," etc. 

On this same incident, we quote from 
a private letter written by Andrew Jack- 
son to a friend, dated April 1, 1814, and 
published in the Nashville Whig, April 
27, 1814, in which he gives an elaborate de- 
scription of the battle of the Horse Shoe. 
In this he says: 

"Capt. Gordon of the Spies, and Capt. 
Murry, of Gen. Johnson's Brigade, all 
distinguished themselves. Never was 
more bravery displayed; every soldier 
done his duty." 

In Carr's "Early Times in Tennessee," 
to go back into history, I find the fol- 
lowing: 

"From 1790 to the close of the war, the 
scouts were kept out nearly all the time. 
Gen. Robertson had a set of brave men 
about Nashville. Capt. John Rains, 
Capt. John Gordon, and Capt. Thomas 
Murry were always ready at a minute's 
warning." !* ... ' 



lo show the stepping out" propensity 
of Capt. John Gordon of the Spies, I will 
produce another incident of the time of 
1793, referred to by Ramsey, 604. This 
was a battle that occurred near the Ten- 
nessee River, which is 'described as fol- 
lows: 

"The Indians had stopped at noon, and 
twenty men were sent forward to fire 
upon them. The hills were open woods 
but the creek bottom was a close cane- 
brake. Rains' men advanced to the right 
while Gordon went to the left. When 
the advance of twenty fired, the two 
companies dashed forward with all speed 
Gordon's company came to a high bluff 

of the creek, which horses could not 
descend. When the Captain and Joseph 
Brown dismounted and took down the 
precipice and. eaciu of them killed an In- 
dian. The horsemen had to ride around 
the bluff and most of the Indians escaped 
into the canebrake, before they were 
seen, etc." 

The reader will begin to note, possibly, 
by this time, that rushing into danger, 
or "stepping out," was quite a part of 
the nature of John Gordon. To prove 
that he did not "step out" at every call 
of danger, it must be proved that he was 
not on the spot. The temptations to this 
indomitable, fearless spirit was to "step 
out" on all occasions, regardless of con- 
sequences. It was irresistible. He could 
not help it, though he were bound by 
chains. 

Jenkins, in his "Life of Andrew Jack- 
son," page 78, says the mutiny occurred 
on the 14th day of November, 1813, and 
as to the answer received by Gen. Jack- 
son, says: 

" 'You have one, General,' says Capt. 
Gordon of the Spies," etc. 

I add from this same author, page 93, 
j an interesting- incident: 

"Jackson had applied to Col. Milton for 
provisions to supply his troops. The 
Colonel replied that he did not feel under 
any obligations to furnish any to the 
' Tennessee troops, but could lend some if 
necessary. Jackson instantly sent him 
a peremptory order by Capt. Gordon of 
the Spies requesting him to furnish the 
provisions he had previously requested. 
On reading the order, Col. Milton in- 
quired of Capt. Gordon what sort of man 
Gen. Jackson was. 'He is a man,' re- 
plied the Captain, 'who intends when 
he gives an order that it shall be 
obeyed.' " 

This was true. Jackson gave orders 
to be obeyed, and we are now getting 
far enough into the history of Capt. 
John Gordon to find that Jackson also 
knew to whom he could intrust such 
orders. 

Now, it will be seen that the name of 
"Capt. Gordon of the Spies," "Captain 
John Gordon of the Spies," will not aown 
from its high and worthy place in Ten- 
nessee history. 

Who carried the letter from Gen. Jack- 
son to the Spanish Governor at Pensa- 
cola? 

On page 95, Jenkins says in regard to 
the Pensacola incident: 

"Capt. Gordon was sent by Gen. Jack- 
son in the month of August, 1814, to re- 
| connoiter the post," etc. 
1 Walker, in his "History of Old Hick- 
ory," page 72, says: 

"In the month of August, 1814, Capt. 
Gordon of the Spies visited Pensacola, 
and ascertained that a large body of 
savages had been organized there by Col. 
Nichols of the British army." 

Gen. Felix K. Zollicoffer, "sans peur," 
"s:>ns reproche," a knightly knight, who 
married Louisa Pocahontas Gordon, the 
i daughter of Capt. John and Dolly Gor- j 
I don, was too intelligent to be mistaken ■ 



! on this point so thoroughly within his 
I reach, and too much of a gentleman to 
have strained a point in history to grati- 
fy family pride. In an article wnich I 
now have before me, written by Gen. 
Zollicoffer, in 1859, on the death of Dolly, 
the wife of Capt. John Gordon, he refers 
at length to the ''stepping out" and many 
other incidents in the latter's life. In 
his own language, he says as follows 
in regard to the Pensacola affair: 

"It was Capt. Gordon who performed 
that memorable and perilous service of 
penetrating alone a forest 300 miles from 
Hickory Grounds to Pensacola, encount- 
ering and evading various Indian parties, 
and procuring for Gen. Jackson that val- 
uable knowledge of Spanish fortifications 
and of the Spanish complicity with Brit- 
ish and Indian enemies which at once 
determined him upon and gave him the 
key to the famous capture of Pensa- 
cola." 

"Clayton, page 81, says: 

"The bearer of the dispatches was Capt. 
John Gordon who with a single com- 
panion undertook the dangerous and 
seemingly desperate mission. At the end 
of the first day's journey, the companion 
of Capt. Gordon became so much ap- 
palled by the prospects ahead that the 
Captain drove him back and continued 
his mission alone. After many diffieul- I 
ties and dangers from the hostile Creeks, j 
he reached Pensacola. On his arrival 
he was surrounded by a large body of 
Indians, and it was by the greatest pres- 
ence of mind that he escaped instant 
death and reached the Commandant. His 
mission being ended, he returned as he 
came, and reached Gen. Jackson in 
safety." 

Jenkins, on page 73, as we have seen, 
refers to "Capt. Gordon of the Spies," 
and on page 95, referring to this incident, 
says Capt. Gordon was sent by Gen. Jack- 
son in the month of August, 1814, to re- 
connoiter the post. 

Walker, in his "History of Old Hick- 
ory," page 72, corroborates the above, 
saying: 

"In the month of August, 1814, Capt. 
Gordon of the Spies visited Pensacola, • 
and ascertained that a large body of sav- 
ages had been organized there by Col. 
Nichols of the British Army." 

As to the hero of the "stepping out" 
incident, Parton refers to him as "one 
Capt. Gordon of whom we will hear more 
hereafter." In his "Life of Jackson," 
page 505, he writes of this incident as 
follows: 

"General Jackson wrote to Maurequez, 
the Governor of Pensacola. This letter 
(1814) he entrusted to Captain Gordon, 
the famous eccentric Spy Captain of the 
Creek War who was empowered to con- 
verse with the Governor and directed to 
obtain explicit information of his de- 
signs. Captain Gordon proceeded alone 
to Pensacola, where he saw the British 
fleet in the harbor, the British flag float- 
ing from the fort. Col. Nichols quar- ! 
tered with the Governor, Capt. Woodbine 
drilling his ridiculous regiment of In- 
dians in the Public Square, and Governor 
Marequez on the most cordial footing 
with his new friends. The latter po- 
tentate was at first inclined to dismiss 
Capt. Gordon without deigning any reply, 
but after detaining the ambassador for 
some days, he concluded to bestow upon 
the impertinent and peremptory Gen. 
Jackson, an epistle that should finally 
quench him." 

The reader will note again from the 
above letter that Capt. John Gordon was 
empowered to converse with the Gov- 
ernor and acted as an Ambassador— an- 
other illustration of the breadth and ca- 
pacity of this great man. 



The following letters, wnicn i copy from j 
the originals now before me, form in- 
teresting links in connecting Capt. John 
Gordon with both the Creek and Florida 
wars, and emphasize his relations to the 
incidents above referred to. The first i 
letter is addressed to Capt. John Donald- \ 
son, Pensacola, Fla., Jan. 14, 1S18, and j 
reads as follows: 

"Dear Jack: I have been ordered to 
repair to Ft. Scott, assume command of 
the forces, make requisitions from the 
adjacent States for such forces as may 
be necessary to give peace and safety to 
the Southwestern frontier. I have made 
a call on my own patriots, who followed 
me into the fields of Talladega, Emuck- 
fau, and Enotochopeco 

"I have wrote Captain Gordon to join 
me at Ft. Scott and take command of the 
Spy Company. I will thank you to write 
me fully by Capt. Gordon. (Signed). 

"ANDREW JACKSON." 

The above letter was handed down to 
us among Capt. John Gordon's papers, it 
being evidently turned over to him by 
John Donaldson. The letter that Gen. 
Jackson wrote to Capt. John Gordon can- 
not be found, but the following is suffi- 
cient proof of his having received the 
letter: 

Addressed: "To Mrs. Dolly Gordon, 
Hickman County, Tenn. Sent by hand of 
Capt. Donaldson. Fort Jackson, Mar. 2, 
1818.— Dear Dolly: I hardly know what 
to write under present circumstances, 



as my mind is divided between duty, in- _ # 

clination, and interest. I have received [^aj — y— y^^^ 

mena you to go on wiin tne Dunamg it i 

possible, and will try to keep you in L/d 

funds. As to farming you are to be gov- » 



in Pensacola a letter from Genr. Jackson 
requesting me to accompany him on an 
expedition against the Seminations in E. 
Floridy. The knowledge I have received 
while in Pensacola seems to make it nec- 
essary that I should go on, therefore have 
concluded to do so, relying on your care 1^. /^<lv 
and presence at home. I would recom- 
mend you to go on with the building if 



erned by circumstances. I did think of 
putting the Briley field in cotton, but of 
that you will be the best judge. My orch- 
ard and vines will be worthy of your at- 
tention, and should you be at a loss about 
the construction of our house, I would 
recommend that the front should be as 
follows (viz) The door into the small 
room to turn against the partition, the 
other as near the center of the large 
room as possible. The windows to be 
placed on each side the front door of the 
large room, and on the right of the door 
of the small room to be placed to corre- 
spond with three windows in the upper 
story at regular distances from each 
other. The back door of the small room 
to open against the partitions also. The 
rest I leave with yourself. 

"Reasons that will be too tedius to 
mention has governed me on this occa- 
sion, therefore hope you will wait for 
further reasons on the subject. I shall 
expect to hear from you as soon as pos- 



! Bfrble; which will be by directing your let- 
ters to Genr Jackson's headquarters, E. 

Floridy. I have no doubt but the boys » 
will be attentive in all things relating 
to our common interest, therefore, will 
call their attention to the law-suits. The 
depositions of Mansker and Smith in the 
case of Martin (vs) Gordon was taken 
before one magistrate only, therefore it 
becomes necessary that J. Whitesides 
should be consulted whether it should 
not be taken again, or that the suit be 
protracted, and Mr. Balsh consulted and 
his counsel followed in all the cases in 
which he has been employed— I know of 
nothing else at present to call your at« 
tention, but you keep up a regular cor- 
respondence which I promise on my part 
I have had an agreeable visit to Pensa- 
cola and Paddy and myself are both in 
good health, and hope you and the fam- 
ily are the same. 

"I am Dear Dolly, your affectionate 
husband, JOHNl GORDON." 

The above letter is copied literally. It 
speaks for itself. It indicates education 
above the average of his contemporaries, 
shows his high sense of duty, and gives 
an insight into his business qualification. 

SOME INCIDENTS IN HIS LIFE. 

One day after the wars were over, a 
party of gentlemen were discussing the 
past at the old Nashville Inn. Jackson 
heard a man among them, whom he did 
not know, soundly berating and abusing 
his friend, Col. W. P. Anderson, Jackson 
quietly wrote down the various charges, 
and after the man had gotten through 
his tirade, he approached him and asked 
him to sign the paper. This the accuser 
refused to do, saying that while he, would 
stand by it, he would not sign any pa- 
per. Jackson, who was now quite irate 
over the matter, turning to Capt. Gor- 
don, rehearsed it to him, and asked his 

adA'ice as to what he should do about it. • 
Gordon read the charges very carefully, 
and, expressing great surprise that the 
man would not sign it, said: "General, 
this paper has so much truth in it that 
it should be signed, and if that man won't 
do it, I will sign it myself." This story 
is worn threadbare by rehearsal in Capt. 
John Gordon's family, and I do not hesi- 
tate to say that this Gordon was none 
other than Capt. John Goruon of the 
Spies. 

I add also a companion story to this. 

While Jackson's army was once resting, 

a report was circulated through the camp 
; that a certain party, a special friend of 

Gen. Jackson's, on a certain occasion, 
! had shown the "white feather." This 

came to Jackson's ears, which very much 

enraged him. He took this trouble to 

his friend, Capt. John Gordon, and said 

that he would cowhide the man that said 

it. "I said it— I say it, General; I know 

it!" replied Gordon, whereupon Jackson 

said, "Oh, Gordon, Gordon— I would as 
! soon smite my wife!" and turned away. 
1 As seen heretofore in the Nickajack ex- 
, peditions, John Gordon was a Captain 
I and Andrew Jackson a private. Many 
I years later, when they were trying to 
I march against the Creek Indians, things 

were somewhat changed, Jackson having ; 

become the superior officer. Before i 

marching from Payetteville, Jackson was { 

giving his men an outline of the plan of 

march, and Capt. John Gordon, for the 

moment forgetting the difference, pre- 
sumed to interrupt and offer his views 

as to the best route. Jackson became 

very angry, and said, with an oath, that 

he (Gordon) should be reduced to the 

ranks. Whereupon Gordon laid down his 

arms, and said he would not march with 

the expedition at all. But his services 

were so valued by Gen. Jackson that the 

latter later apologized and restored him 



On a wet, cnniy mgnt, during ons or 
the Indian campaigns, owing to the sur r 
rounding dangers, Gen. Jackson gave or- 
ders that there should be no fires in 
camp. During the night a fire in one 
portion of the camp was reported to 
Jackson. A messenger was immediately 
sent to find out who it was that built 
the fire, and to ask for the sword of the 
officer who permitted it. Capt. John Gor- 
don himself was found luxuriating in the 
warmth of the fire. He handed over his 
sword, saying that if he (Gordon) was 
not afraid to have this fire, he did not 
see Why Gen- Jackson should be. Jack- 
son relented and sent word to Gordon to 
come and get his sword, whereupon he 
said, "Gen. Jackson took my sword, and 
if he wants me to have it, let him send 
it back to me," which Jackson did. The 
party who took the sword from Gordon 
doubtless was a little lacking in diplo- 
macy, rather peremptory, perhaps, in 
his manner. However that may be, he 
was given permanent leave of absence,, 
and advised by Jackson to get out of 
camp as quickly as possible. 

Jackson, as history shows, often took 
matters in his own hands, and was at 
times most heady and recalcitrant. What 
a kinship linked the spirits of these two 
heroes! How he must have, and did, 
love and honor this high-strung, fiery, 
fearless man. 

I have selected only a few of these 
treasured stories, and will close this part 
of my subject with the following: 

One night during the troublous times of 
Indian uprisings, Dolly Gordon was 
aroused from her peaceful slumber to 
find her husband, Capt. John Gordon, out 
of bed and in the act of striking a light. 
On questioning him, he said: "I have 
just had a vivid dream that there is an 
uprising of the Indians, and that Jack- 
son needs me," seeming much concerned 
over the ' dream. He returned to bed, 
however, and fell asleep. Again his wife 
was roused from her sleep, this time to 
find him dressing. Asking him again the 
: trouble, he said that he had the same 
dream again, and, notwithstanding her 
earnest protestations that it was only a 
dream and of no significance, he was so 
impressed with the idea that Jackson did 
need him that he hurriedly got ready, 
and was soon on horseback on his way 
post haste. After riding some distance, 
he met a courier coming under whip 
with a message from Jackson, asking 
him to come to him quickly, and confirm- 
ing his dream in regard to the uprising. 

In regard to his noble wife, Dolly Cross, 
who was born in Nottaway County, Vir- 
ginia, July 15, 1779, a descendant of Poca- 
hontas, and the daughter of Richard 
Cross, one of the very earliest settlers 
of Nashville, the following from the ar- 
ticle written by Gen. Zollicoffer, hereto- 
fore referred to, will be appropriate and 
interesting: 

"She was always remarkable for her 
charity, kindness and Christian spirit, 
and in the midst of the canebrakes, up- 
on the borders of the war paths, the dear 
wife and mother, remained alone, nur- 
turing her little children, while the stout- 
hearted husband and father was afar, 
driving back the ruthless enemies of his 
country to the utmost borders of their 
own stronghold. His character (her 
husband's) 1 as a citizen, soldier, was not 
more illustrious than was hers as a Chris- 
tian wife and mother." 

Capt. John Gordon moved from Nash- I 
ville to his farm at Duck River Ferry, 
Hickman County, in 1812. Messrs. Spence, I 
in their history of Hickman County, 
which is pronounced most reliable by ! 



critics, have a great deai to say or old 
Captain Jack (John) Gordon. Speaking 
of the home he built, they say: "This 
much dilapidated building was for years 
the most elegant home in Hickman Coun- 
ty. Here lived the most aristocratic fam- 
ily of the county. This old home is in 
ruins, and where once was grandeur, 
gloom now is." 

Jackson wanted to promote Capt. John 
Gordon, but where could he find a man 
to fill his place? Gordon cared nothing 
for promotion. His only pride was duty, 
his only goal was danger; and promo- 
tion to him meant nothing, unless ac- 
companied with opportunity for greater 
deeds of daring, and this promotion could 
not give. 

Physically, he was small, rather below 
the medium size, strong and wiry, with 
keen black eyes. The only claim he ever 
made for himself was that he knew not 
the sensation of fear, which is plainly 
shown in every act of his life. 

The most striking characteristic of this 
unusual man was the unaffected simplic- 
ity of his patriotism. To him his daring 
deeds were merely matters of simple duty 
—they needed no applause. Studying his 
character, you fully realize this in draw- 
ing a comparison between him and men, 
not only of his time, but of all times, who, 
after doing some heroic deed, become 
spoiled, self-inflated, and posing in the 
light of public notoriety are led into va- 
rious ambitions, especially political. 

There was nothing stagy or spectacular 
in his life. At every call he went forth 
from his home to the highest point of 
danger. When his work of death and 
destruction to the enemies of his country 
was accomplished, he unassumingly re- 
turned to the quietude of his beloved 
home and family, following with the 
same energy, vigor and success the peace- 
ful pursuits of life. 

His name and deeds should be written 
on tablets of bronze, and preserved as 
a shinging example for coming genera- 
tions.. 

I will close with the following tribute 
from the pen of Judge Haywood: 

"Capt. Gordon was a brave and active 
officer, distinguished through life for a 
never-failing presence of mind, as well 
as for the purest integrity and independ- 
ence of principle. He had much energy 

both of mind and body, and was in all, 
or nearly all, the expeditions from Ten- 
nessee which were carried on against the 
Indians, or other enemies of the country, 
and in all of these was conspicuous for 
these qualities. He now sleeps with the 
men of other times, but his repose is 
guarded by the affectionate recollection 
of all who knew him." 



THE NASHVILLE AMERICAN, SUKDAY, APRIL 1, 1906, 



"CAPTAIN JOHN GORDON 



By W. M. WOOLWINE 



OF THE SPIES" 



ARTICLE II. 



In my last paper on Capt. John Gor- 
don, with the evidence then before me, 
I was led to believe that he came di- 
rectly from his home, Fredericksbu g, 
Va., to Nashville; but I have just found 
a brief outline of his history written by 
his son, Boiling Gordon, who died in 1SS0, 
which shows that he stopped for some 
years in Kentucky. I quote verbatim the 
following from this sketch of the famous 
warrior: 

"Every family should endeavor to know 
something of their ancestral history. The 
family of Gordons are descended from the 
Scotch, and came to America some years 
previous to the American Revolution, and 
settled near Fredericksburg, Va., where 
JohrKGordon, the subject of this sketch 
was born. His paternal grandfather"— 
(Here a part of the original sheet has 
been torn off, and leaves a most unfor- 
tunate break in the history of his an- , 
cestors). "At an early age, he left his I 
family and friends and wended his way 
to Kentucky, first locating near where i 
what Is now known as Maysville, on the I 
Ohio River. 

"About this time the Indians became 
troublesome, and the few settlers who , 
had located themselves in the country had j 
to construct forts and blockhouses for 
their protection against Indian depreda- j 
tions. For several years, difficulties be- | 
set them on every side, laboring on the 
one hand to guard against the foe, and 
on the other against those hardships and 
privations, incident to the planting of a 
new colony in a new and distant land. 
At that time there was but little inter- 
course with the Mother State, Virginia. 
The little trade carried on then was with 
the French, who at that time occupied 
Ft. Pitt, now known as Pittsburg. This 
trade was chiefly in skins, furs, and pel- 
tries of different kinds. The chief sub- 
sistence for a few years was the flesh of 
buffalo, elk and deer, with which the 
country then abounded. 

"After several years' residence among 
the toils and difficulties referred to, and 
after participating in many bloody con- 
flicts; among them that of Blue and Bul- 
litt's Lick encounter with the Indians, a 
new and more enticing field for the cour- 
age and daring of John Gordon opened in 
the new settlements beyond, that were 
then forming in the territory south of 
the Ohio River, now Tennessee, in what 
was at that time called 'the Cumberland 
settlement.' The principal little settle- 
ments that were then forming, composed 
mainly of North Carolinians and Vir- 
ginians, were made at the French Lick, 
now Nashville, and on Drake and Mansker 
Creeks, now in Sumner County. 

"The early settlers here, as in Kentucky 
had every hardship and privation to en- 
counter. Surrounded on the one hand by 
numerous savages, and on the other by 
wild beasts almost equally ferocious. 



"On reaching his new destination on the 
Cumberland, possessed only of his rifle 
and the usual implements of the back- 
woodsman he was at once prepared to 
blend his fortune with those among whom 
he had located. Here, as in Kentucky, 
everything was rude and uncultivated, 
civilization having done but little to 
ameliorate the condition of the settlers. 
After this the settlement at or near what 
is now known as Nashville, were much 
annoyed by marauding bands of Indians, ( 
principally of the Cherokee and Creek 
tribes— the Chickasaws, the nearest tribe, 
being generally friendly. Many families 
had to lament the loss of wives and chil- 
dren, some murdered, some scalped aji^ 
I left for dead on the ground, and many 
taken prisoners and carried into captivity. 

"Scenes of woe and anguish like these 
did not fail to enlist every true and 
chicalrous spirit in their defense, and 
among the number, no one was more 
ready to, come to their aid than Capt. 
John - Gordon. Besides the many forays 
with the Indians on their retreat from 
| the settlements with prisoners and prop- 
i erty, his courage was no less displayed 
! in the regular campaigns gotten up 
| against them. 

I "After the expeditions against the In- 
j dians at Coldwater, now Tuscumbia, Ala., 
in which he participated, a last and final 
1 termination was put to hostilities by the 
j expedition to Nickajack on the Tennessee 
River. In this expedition (September, 
1794) Capt. Gordon commanded a cora- 
| pany, who in connection with several hun- 
■ dred others, swam the Tennessee River 
| in the night, and on the succeeding day, 
' put the enemy to flight, after killing many 
of their warriors. 

"Some years previous to this, about 1786, 
during a " temporary lull in warfare in 
Tennessee, Capt. Gordon concluded to 
visit some relations residing in Georgia. 
On the way thither he had to pass 
through the Creek nation, and on reach- 
ing McGiUavray's town, he was taken a 
prisoner by the Creeks, then in hostility 
with the Georgians, who tied him to a 
tree, and gave him about a hundred 
lashes, with an assurance that if he had 
come later in the season, they would have 
taken his scalp. Though gratified at 
getting off so well, under the circum- 
stances, yet he did not fail to avenge him-, 
self of them as will be seen hereafter. 

"On reaching Georgia, then about twen- 
ty-three years old, he went to school to 
a gentleman by the name of Nicholson 
for the period of about three months, 
being the only schooling he ever re- \ 
ceived. During this time, he learned the 
elements of the English education, to- 
gether with a pretty fair knowledge of 
Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry. 
With this slight preparation for entering 
into the business concerns of life, he re- 
turned to Nashville, where after a few 
years of active employment in mercan- 
tile pursuits, aided by the means and in- 
fluence of a valued friend, Mr. William 
Tate, a Scotch merchant, who then re- 
sided there, and for many years after- 
ward, he succeeded in making a compe- 
tent beginning on which he built a better 
estate in after life. 

"On the 15th day of July, 1794, he married 
Dolly Cross, daughter of Richard Cross, 
of Nashville. They had seven sons— John, 
Fielding, William, Boiling, Powhatan, 
Richard and Andrew— and three daughters 
—Mary, Dorothy and Louisa. The dldest 
daughter, Dolly, married first, Charles W. 
Wilber, and after his death, Augustus 
Sowell. The second, Mary, married Reu- 
ben F. White, while the third, Louisa 
Pocahontas, married Gen. Felix K. Zolli- 
coffer, who fell at the battle of Mill 
Spring, Kentucky, in defense of the 
ights of the people of the Southern 



' At tiie breaking' out of the Creek war, j 
in 1813, Capt. John Gordon was invited 
by Gen. Andrew Jackson to accompany 
him on the expedition against that tribe 
of Indians. The position of 'Captain of 
the Spies' was the only position he would 
accept, being unwilling to be commanded 
by any other officer than the Command- 
ing General. He was permitted by the 
General to select his men from the whole 
army, the object being to get men of 
mature age, : good physical constitution, 
and of undaunted courage. Many of his 
men were his contemporaries in the days 
when Nashville was invaded by the Cher- 
okees and Creeks. 

"The duties mainly performed by his 
company were of the most dangerous and 
hazardous character, being always on the 
scout and in advance of the army. 

"The company participated in all the 
battles of the Creek war, closing with that 
"of the Horseshoe on the Tallapoosa River, i 
After this battle was fought, the remain- 
ing portion of the Spanish authorities at | 
Pensacola, Gen. Jackson being unwilling 
to evacuate and fall back with his forces, 
sought to get instructions from the War 
Department to pursue them into Florida." 

The outline of his history by his son, 
Boiling Gordon, ends as above. It was 
douotiess continued, but if so the papers 
have been lost. 

Capt. John Gordon was a most methodi- 
cal man, as is shown by the many pa- 
pers of real estate deals and various 
transactions that he left at his desk. One 
of his youngest children is known to have 
carelessly destroyed a number of his pa- 
pers, not knowing their value. In each 
incident of his life we see the rigid will 
power of John Gordon, and it is follow- 
ing in a straight line, without a selfish 
thought the simple path of duty, the most 
hazardous he could find. His terms with 
Gen. Jackson in the Creek War, as seen 
above, were that he would only accept : 
the position of "Commander of the Spies," J 
and further that he would be subordinate 
to no one other than Gen. Jackson him- I 
self. Selecting his men from the whole ' 
I army as permitted by Gen. Jackson, he 
must have had a glorious set of daring 
men around him. 

John Gordon being born In 1763, and go- 
ing to Georgia at the age of 23, shows 
that he came to French Lick, now Nash- 
ville, some time prior to 1786. We find in j 

Capt. John Davis' narrative that he was 
Captain of a company in 1791. In the 
Tennessee Historical Society we find the 
original muster roll of a company com- 
manded by him, and disbanded on the 8th 
day of September, 1793. The following 
paper, copied from the original, shows 
that he continued to serve as Captain un- 
til the State of Tennessee Was formed 

in m& — 

"William Blount, Governor in and Over 
the Territory of the United States, South 
of the Ohio River.— To all Who Shall See 
These Presents, Greeting: 

"Know ye that reposing special trust 
and confidence in the patriotism, valor, 
conduct and fidelity of John Gordon, of 
the county of Davidson, I do hereby ap- 
point him a Captain of mounted infantry 
to form a part of the regiment of said 
county, and do hereby authorize and em- 
power him to execute and fulfill the du- 
ties of a Captain of mounted infantry in 
the said regiment, agreeable to the law, 
and the rules and regulations of military 
discipline, and to have and to hold the 
rank and command of Captain of mount- 
ed infantry in said regiment during his 
good behavior or the existence of the 
temporary government of the said terri- 
; tory with all the powers, privileges and 
I emoluments thereto of the right apper- 
I taining. 



/7 



; "Given under my hand and .seal in the 
I said Territory, this 20th day of October, 
one thousand seven hundred and ninety- 
three. (Signed) WM. BLOUNT." 
j In addition to his being continually con- 
nected with the military and fighting In- 
dians at every opportunity during these 
times, he was successfully carrying on 
business in Nashville. His business re- 
: lations with William Tait were set forth 
in Bowling Gordon's paper, and in addi- 
tion to that I have before me the original 
contract of partnership formed in Nash- 
ville in 1794 between him and one B. Al- 
lison, "for the purpose of merchandis- 
ing" under the firm name of "John Gor- 
don & Co." 

We find the original deeds to many 
pieces of property made over to him dur- 
ing the nineties of the eighteenth century. 
It is interesting to note the descriptions 
of property contained in these deeds; and 
it would be quite difficult to locate them 
now as the boundary lines have so chang- 
ed in the many years elapsing since. The 
old Spanish oaks, locusts, etc., have long 
since vanished away and given place to 
other corners now familiar to the pres- 
ent generation. 

From the time of his appearance in his- 
tory up till his death in 1819 he seemed 
to have had the special confidence of the 
General Government, and # besides his 
fighting record many are the transac- 
tions of his furnishing rations and pro- 
visions for the regular army. 

One of the interesting deals In his life 
was with the famous Indian chief, Gen. 
William Colbert. From the original pa- 
per I quote the following contract, made 
of greater interest by the witnesses to 
the same: 

"A Bargain Between William Colbert 
and John Gordon for Duck River. 

"First, Colbert was to put Gordon in 
possession of the place with all the 
houses and craft as the Federal troops 
delivered them. 

"Secondly, said Colbert was to furnish 
a negro man, and afford protection to all 
property taken to Duck River by said 
Gordon for the use of the place, and in 
case of spoliation or accident Colbert is 
to bear 'his proportional part, and Gor- 
don is privileged to clear and cultivate 
what lands he thought proper for the use 
of the place, and to enjoy the same privi- 
lege, and his son, John, after him in con- 
junction with Colbert's son, Jamison. 

"The said Gordon is to lay in all uten- 
sils and supplies necessary for the place, 
to furnish a book and employ such per- 
son as appeared necessary for carrying on 
the business for the benefit of the place; 
he is to keep an account of all expendi- 
tures and income, and when the stock in 
trade and all contingent expenses were 
paid, then the neat (net) profits were to 
be equally divided between the said Col- 
bert and Gordon at such time as the par- 
ties should think it convenient." 

The foregoing contract was explained 
to Gen. Colbert by his interpreter, and 
agreed to by him before us the subscrib- 
ers, this 14th day of February, 1804. 
(Signed) "ANDREW JACKSON. 

"JOHN M'NAIRY. 
"WILLIAM T. LEWIS. 
"JAS. ROBERTSON." 
After the ceding of these lands by the 
Indians, the improvements at Duck River 
Crossing and a large body of land was 
granted to him as a reward for his meri- 
torious conduct and his valuable services 
in the many hazardous expeditions and 
sorties against the Indians, in which he 
had engaged continuously whenever need- 
ed throughout his life. 

In connection with the partnership be- 
tween Gordon and Colbert, I quote a 
v/ell told and interesting incident from 
an article published some time since by 
Col. George C. Porter, now Superintend- 
ent of the State Ca Pitch 



"THE MAN FROM CHAPEL, HLLL." 

"During the existence of this unique 
partnership, between John Gordon and 
Colbert— the Saxon and the Chickasaw— 
there appeared upon the scene a young 
stranger from North Carolina. He had 
left her famous university, Chapel Hill, 
before the completion of his course of 
study, full of ambition and hope, but 
limited in means, influence and funds, he 
had made his way to the great West in 
search of fame and fortune. After a 
few days of recuperation at Nashville, 
he continued his journey further to the 
West until he came to the trading post 
of Gordon and Colbert, then on the outer 
limit ot the advance of the white man. 
Here he halted for a few days seeking 
employment. Gordon and Colbert became 
cognizant of the fact. Dromgoole, their j 
chief clerk and manager, wished to re- 
sign his position, and after some parley 
and negotiation, the same was offered to 
and accepted by this young adventurer, 
who immediately entered upon the duties 
and responsibilities attached. These were 
both arduous and varied, and might well 
have shaken the confidence of one > far 
more experienced in trade and commerce 
than himself. However, under his man- 
agement the business of the firm succeed- 
ed and prospered, as it never had before. 
Complete satisfaction was given both to 
proprietors and customers, all declaring 
that for cleverness and tact, none had 
surpassed this young manager from the 
East. 

"Little did these employers and their 
customers think that this young stripling 
then engaged in casting up accounts and 
collecting moneys, dusting shelves, mak- 
ing fires and bringing water, measuring 
calico and domestic for the lady and the 
squaw; dishing out sugar and salt, whis- 
ky and tobacco for the emigrant and the 
resident; exchanging beads and trinkets 
for the skins of the otter and the beaver, 
fishing with the natives on Sunday, was 
in process of time he developed into one 
of the most remarkable men and enlight- 
ened statesmen of his day— the equal of 
Clay and Webster and Calhoun in logic 
and debate; their superior in energy, in- 
dustry and determination, in the skill and 
science of legislation, in statistics and 
governmental lore; who was to wrestle 
with Jackson in deadly conflict on the 
floor of a Nashville hotel; and then, after 
a reconciliation, not unlike that which 
took place between Brutus and Cassius, 
Oliver and Roland, Roderick Dhu and 
James Fitzjames, was to become his 
chief supporter and defender on the floor 
of the American Congress, making pos- 
sible his ultimate vindication before the 
people for the issuance of his 'Specie 
Circular,' and his arbitrary removal of 
the deposits, who was to become the au- 
thor and finisher of the Expunging Reso- 
lution; whose single speech was to settle 
the Oregon boundary question and avert 
a war with England, and who was to be 
the chief Senatorial annihilator of Old 
Nic Biddle and his bank. 

"Yet such was the case, for it was none 
other than the great Thomas H. Benton 
in fieri— a man without a model and with- 
out a shadow, who could wield indifferent- 
ly the detecting spear of Ithuriel, or the 
victorious sword of Michael." 

A singular coincidence in regard to dates 
occurs in the lives of John Gordon and 
his wife, Dolly. He was born on the 15th 
of July, 1763; she on the 15th of July, 1779. 
They were married on the loth of July, 
1794, she being 15 years of age. 

Lie lived on Cedar street, Nashville, at 
one time, near the grounds now occupied 
by the Capitol, and owned Capitol Hill, 
which he is said to have sold for a horse 
and saddle. 



Of his family, one writer says: "it was 
a remarkable family of children, who 
filled with credit their several stations In 
life, and well sustained their splendid lin- 
eage. William held a Contain/a position in 

the regular army; he died in 1834. Pow- j 
hatan was Captain in the Seminole War, i 
and won distinction for courage and j 
bravery in the War with Mexico; he died 
in 1879." Ex-Gov. James D. Porter writes 
of his son, Boiling, as follows: "Col. Boil- 
ing Gordon was a familiar acquaintance 
and a friend of mine. I made his acquain- 
tance in my early manhood. He was then 
a leading citizen of Tennessee. He had t 
served in both branches of the Legisla- 
ture of the State. I served with him as a 
delegate to the Constitutional Convention 
of 1870. He had served as a delegate to 
the Constitutional Convention of 1834, and 
had always been one of our foremost 
citizens. I am proud to have enjoyed his 
friendship." 

Col. A. S. Colyar, who failed to use the 
name of John Gordon in his recent life 
of Jackson, while resting in Florida, after 
going thoroughly and carefully over all \ 
the evidence, now writes as follows: 

"Feb. 24, 1906.— My Dear Mrs. Woolwine: ! 
I' have your letter in referenec to the mis- : 
take I made in writing 'The Life and . 
Times of Jackson,' in which I gave. Capt. 
Thomas Kennedy Gordon credit, as the 
Captain of the spies in the Indian Wars 
of 1812 and 1815. I wish to say it was a 
mistake. . . . 

"This I greatly regret, as I now know 
from full investigation that the soldier 
known as 'Captain of the Spies' was Capt. • 
John Gordon. (Signed.) 

"A. S. COLYAR." ! 

My object in collecting data and produc- 
ing these papers is to preserve the sacred 
memory for the benefit of future genera- 
tions of one of the noblest, most heroic 
and daring men of all pioneer times. It is 
not I, but the stubborn facts of history j 
that estaablishes beyond the shadow of a 
doubt that John Gordon was "Captain of ; 
the Spies," and was the one hero of the j 
many incidents accredited by historians to ■ 
the Captain of the Spies. Especially, in 
the Creek War do we find him engaged 
In every battle fought, and always at the 
very highest point of danger, the chiefest 
of the great lieutenants of Gen. Andrew 
Jackson. | 



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